While Major was speaking, four large rats came out of their holes and started to listen to him. As soon as they realised that the dogs and the cat were looking fixedly at them, they rushed back into their holes and saved their lives. Soon after, Major raised his left foot for silence.
“Comrades,” he said, “here is a point that must be decided.
Are wild creatures – such as rats and rabbits − our friends or our enemies? Let’s put it to the vote. I propose this question to the meeting: are rats comrades?”
It was agreed by a majority vote that rats were comrades. There were only four ‘no’ votes, the three dogs and the cat. Then Major continued.
“I have little more to say. I repeat, always remember that Man is our enemy. Whatever goes on two legs is an enemy. Whatever goes on four legs, or has wings, is a friend. And remember also that in fighting against Man, we must not look like them. When you’ve won, don’t copy their vices¹⁸. No animal must ever live in a house, or sleep in a bed, or wear clothes, or drink alcohol, or smoke tobacco, or touch money, or engage in trade¹⁹. All the habits of Man are morally bad. And, above all, no animal must ever oppress their own kind. Weak or strong, clever or simple, we are all brothers. No animal must ever kill any other animal. All animals are equal!”